Lupine Court

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The festival's origins date to the Beaulieu Jazz Festival (1956–1961) which became the National Jazz Festival in 1961 (The National Jazz and Blues Festival in 1963) and settled in Reading in 1971. In 1999 a second leg was added at Leeds. The 1970 Festival was a four-day event for the only time in its history, with a South of England Local Talent session in the main arena on the Thursday evening. In 1971 the Festival moved to its permanent home at Little John's Farm on the south bank of the River Thames in Reading, a venue it has remained at ever since (with the exception of two years in the 1980s when the Festival was banned by the Conservative Party controlled Reading Borough Council). The 1984 Festival was cancelled when the Conservative Party took control of Reading Borough Council. No festival was held in 1985.

In Their Own Story

The third NJF Festival saw the first non-Jazz acts appear, notably the Rolling Stones and Long John Baldry on the Sunday afternoon. The Festival expanded to three days in 1964 with the addition of a rhythm & blues themed Friday evening session. In 1966 the Festival moved to the larger Windsor Racecourse venue after five years at Richmond Athletic Ground. Cream were billed as 'Eric Clapton – Jack Bruce – Ginger Baker' as the band were still unnamed when promotional posters & advertising were printed. In 1967 Pink Floyd pulled out on Saturday evening due to singer/guitarist Syd Barrett's health problems and were replaced by The Nice. A second 'Marquee' stage was added on Saturday and Sunday evenings. In 1999 a second leg was added at Leeds. In 2002 Guns N' Roses played only in Leeds as they had a prior touring commitment in London on the day of the Reading event; in Reading they were replaced by Raging Speedhorn who appeared much lower on the bill.

Reader's Guide

The festival has featured multiple stages over the years. In 1967 a second 'Marquee' stage was added on Saturday and Sunday evenings. In 1970 a 'Village' stage was added on Saturday and Sunday running from later afternoon to mid-evening. In 1989 a 'Mean Fiddler stage' appeared. In 1991 a 'Comedy stage' was added. In 1992 a 'Melody Maker stage' appeared. In 1995 a 'Carlsberg stage' was added. In 1996 an 'NME stage' and 'Dr. Martens Stage' appeared. In 1997 a 'Vans Warped Tour stage' was added. In 1998 a 'Carlsberg Export stage' appeared. In 1999 the stages included 'Main stage', 'Radio 1 Evening Session stage', 'Carling Premier stage', 'Dance stage', and 'Vans Warped Tour stage'. In 2001 the 'Concrete Jungle stage' made its debut. Weekend tickets cost £80, day tickets £35 in 2001. In 2002 a weekend ticket cost £90, a day ticket was £39. In 2003 a weekend ticket cost £95, a day ticket £40. In 2004 a weekend ticket cost £105, a day ticket £45.

Did You Know?

• The festival's origins date to the Beaulieu Jazz Festival (1956–1961).
• In 1971 the Festival moved to its permanent home at Little John's Farm on the south bank of the River Thames in Reading.
• The 1970 Festival was a four-day event for the only time in its history.
• In 1999 a second leg was added at Leeds.
• The 1984 Festival was cancelled when the Conservative Party took control of Reading Borough Council.